HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3823.70 – Industrial fatty alcohols
HS code 3823.70 is the 6-digit subheading for industrial fatty alcohols. It is used for lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and myristyl alcohol.
What HS 3823.70 covers
This HS code covers industrial fatty alcohols, which are versatile chemical intermediates primarily derived from natural fats and oils. These compounds are essential building blocks for a wide range of products across numerous industries. Major importers and exporters include manufacturers of detergents, surfactants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and plasticizers. The trade in fatty alcohols is driven by their utility as emollients, emulsifiers, thickeners, and as key intermediates in the production of other chemicals. Their renewable origin and biodegradability also contribute to their increasing demand in environmentally conscious markets.
- Covers
- Lauryl alcohol
- Cetyl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol
- Oleyl alcohol
- Myristyl alcohol
- Coco fatty alcohol
- Palm fatty alcohol
- Behenyl alcohol
- Examples
- BASF Fatty Alcohols
- Sasol Fatty Alcohols
- KLK Oleo Fatty Alcohols
- Wilmar Fatty Alcohols
- Emery Oleochemicals Fatty Alcohols
Codes often confused with 3823.70
Common mistake. Frequently confused with industrial fatty acids (38231x series) due to similar origins and names, but fatty alcohols have an -OH group, while fatty acids have a -COOH group.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 382370, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 382370 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $2.1B 38% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $1.4B 24% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $660M 12% of world exports
World total: $5.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.8B 31% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $502M 8.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $424M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $5.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 3823.70 4
Brazil splits HS 3823.70 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3823.70.10 Industrial stearyl alcoholEsteárico
- 3823.70.20 Industrial lauryl alcoholLáurico
- 3823.70.40 Industrial cetyl alcoholCetílico
- 3823.70.90 Other industrial fatty alcoholsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.23 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 3823.70
What is HS code 382370?
HS code 382370 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Industrial fatty alcohols. This HS code covers industrial fatty alcohols, which are versatile chemical intermediates primarily derived from natural fats and oils. These compounds are essential building blocks for a wide range of products across numerous industries. Major importers and exporters include manufacturers of detergents, surfactants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and plasticizers. The trade in fatty alcohols is driven by their utility as emollients, emulsifiers, thickeners, and as key intermediates in the production of other chemicals. Their renewable origin and biodegradability also contribute to their increasing demand in environmentally conscious markets.
What products fall under HS code 382370?
Lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, coco fatty alcohol, palm fatty alcohol, behenyl alcohol
What are common misclassifications for HS code 382370?
Frequently confused with industrial fatty acids (38231x series) due to similar origins and names, but fatty alcohols have an -OH group, while fatty acids have a -COOH group.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 382370?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 382370 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($2.1B, 38% of world exports), Malaysia ($1.4B) and the Netherlands ($660M). World exports came to about $5.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 382370?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 382370 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.8B, 31% of world imports), the Netherlands ($502M) and the United States ($424M). World imports came to about $5.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 382370 structured?
HS code 382370 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (70) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 382370?
Brazil splits HS code 382370 into 4 NCM codes: 3823.70.10 (Industrial stearyl alcohol), 3823.70.20 (Industrial lauryl alcohol), 3823.70.40 (Industrial cetyl alcohol), 3823.70.90 (Other industrial fatty alcohols). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.